Ismail bin Abd Halim is a Chartered Accountant with extensive expertise in financial audits, governance, and organisational restructuring. A member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) since 1987, and a member of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA), he brings over four decades of experience in financial stewardship and governance.

He earned his B.Com (Hons) in Accounting from Birmingham University in 1982 and began his professional journey at KPMG Peat Marwick in London, where he advanced from Audit Senior to Manager.

In 1989, Ismail joined PERNAS and remained with the organisation until 2003. During his tenure, he held multiple leadership roles and contributed to strategic planning, financial structuring, and cross-agency collaboration. He was deeply engaged in building strategic networks with key stakeholders including the Ministry of Finance (MOF), Capital Issues Committee (CIC) (now known as Securities Commission (SC)), Foreign Investment Committee (FIC) and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), strengthening Pernas’ capacity to drive national-level investment initiatives and corporate development projects.

His expertise later extended to leadership positions in several public-listed companies. He served as a board member of Pernas International Holdings Berhad and Tradewinds (M) Berhad between (1996 - 2001), and United Malayan Land Berhad (2001 - 2003) where he contributed to oversight, financial accountability, and corporate restructuring strategies.

Ismail was appointed as the Independent Non-Executive Director of PERNAS and Malaysia International Franchise Sdn. Bhd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pernas in 2024. Ismail also served as the Chairman of Board Audit and Risk Committee, Interim Chairman of Nomination and Remuneration Committee and member of Directors’ Investment Committee and Board Tender Committee. Ismail was also appointed as the Non-Independent Non-Executive Director representing PERNAS on the Board of Focus Point Holding Berhad.

With strong leadership skills on both financial best practices and institutional strategy, Ismail’s contributions reinforce Pernas’ commitment to sound investment governance, and local business development.